About Modena
Modena is a small city of 183.000 inhabitants, in the north of Italy. It is settled in the Padania plan, which stems from the sediments brought from the surrounding mountains by the Po river and its affluents. Modena is 34 meters above the sea level and surrounded by two rivers: Secchia and Panaro. Modena territory in the north is all plane, in the south it moves from plane to hill and then to mountains till the maximum height of Monte Cimone 2165 meters above the sea level. Modena is a wide province and is settled in the Emilia Romagna region that is close to the more famous Tuscany. It is world famous for Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese, Balsamic Vinager (Aceto Balsamico di Modena), and Ferrari and Maserati cars: both produced in this city. There is also an important tiles manufacturing district in Modena province that exports tiles all over the world and employs many geologists in quarries and in clay analysis.
Modena hosts one of the most beautiful example of Romanesque architecture in Italy. The Cathedral of Modena is indeed a Roman Catholic Romanesque church or duomo in Italian consecrated in 1184. The cathedral is an important Romanesque building in Europe and a World heritage site.
Around the town of Modena, there are outstanding and peculiar Geological sites to see. An example of geological spots that must be visited is the “The Salse of Nirano”, an important geological phenomenon of international relevance. The Salse (mud volcanoes) are the product of mainly gaseous (methane) and partly liquid (oil) hydrocarbons deposits. As they ascend to soil surface, they wash out clay materials: the ejected mud is then responsible for the Salse’s typical cone shape (see the picture). The Salse of Nirano have a very special aura: they have been known since ancient times, and have been the subject of different interesting researches carried out by historians and scientists.
In the hills (Appennino) surrounding the town of Modena, there are also many asbestos-rich sites,namely the quarries of green stones (ophiolites), the remain of the Cretacic Thetis oceanic floor. An example is the quarry of inert material in Romanoro (see the picture).
The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italian: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia) is one of the oldest universities in Italy, founded in 1175, with an actual population of about 20,000 students. The medieval university disappeared by 1338 and was replaced by “three public lectureships” which did not award degrees and were suspended in the 1590s “for lack of money”. The university was not reestablished in Modena until the 1680s and did not receive an imperial charter until 1685. Some famous students who attended the University include Ludovico Antonio Muratori, a noted Italian historian and scholar who graduated in 1694, the playwright Carlo Goldoni in the 17th century and, in the last century, Sandro Pertini, who became President of the Italian Republic.
Weather
During June, Modena has pleasant temperatures (max. 30°C / 86°F; min. 17°C / 63°F) and generally sunny days, although some rainfall are not to exclude.
Wi-Fi and internet connection
Participants from Universities which adhere to the EDUROAM network can access UNIMORE wifi with the credentials of their University. The other participants can ask for credentials at the registration desk, presenting identity card (or passport) and social security number (codice fiscale) to be copied/scanned
For further information please contact the organizing committee at the e-mail address alessandro.gualtieri@unimore.it
Additional information and links
Formal dress is suggested during the school, whereas tie and jacket are highly recommended for the social events. For planning your stay in Modena:
For a food and wine tour: